Hahaki-Gi (The Broom-Like Tree) Part 2

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Section three of Genji Monagotari by Murasaki Shikibu, presented by
Dream or Dear Books her Harkiki The Broom Like Tree,
Part two. It was the evil fortune of samaar No
Kami to meet with too much jealousy in one of
the ladies to whom he might otherwise have given his heart,

(00:22):
while he could feel no confidence in another owing to flirtations.
It was my hard lot to encounter an instance of
excessive diffidence. I once knew a girl whose person was
altogether pleasing, And although I too had no intention, as
samar No Kami said, of forming an everlasting connection with her,
I nevertheless took a great fancy to her. As our

(00:45):
acquaintance was prolonged, our mutual affection grew warmer. My thoughts
were always of her, and she placed entire confidence in me. Now,
when complete confidence is placed by one person in another,
does not nature teach us to expect to zen when
that confidence is abused. No such resentment, however, seemed under

(01:06):
any circumstances to trouble her. When I very seldom visited her,
she showed no excitement or indignation, but behaved and looked
as if we had never been separated from each other.
This patient's silence was more trying to me than reproaches.
She was parentless and friendless. For this reason, responsibility weighed

(01:26):
more heavily on me, abusing her gentle nature. However, I
frequently neglected her. About this time. Moreover, a certain person
who lived near her discovered our friendship and frightened her
by sending through some channel mischief making messages to her.
This I did not become aware of till afterwards, and
it seems she was quite cast down and helpless. She

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had a little one for whose sake it appears she
was additionally sad. One day, I unexpectedly received a bunch
of nadishiko flowers. They were from her. At this point,
Tonchiujio became gloomy, and what inquired Genji were the words
of her message, Sir, nothing but the verse forgot. May

(02:12):
be the lowly bed from which these darling flowrets spring still,
let a kindly dew be shed upon their early nurturing.
No sooner had I read this than I went to
her at once. She was gentle and sedate as usual,
but evidently absent and preoccupied. Her eyes rested on the

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jew lying on the grass in the garden, and her
ears were intent upon the melancholy singing of the autumn mushi.
It was as if we were in a real romance,
I said to her, when with confused gaze we view
the mingled flowers on gay parterre amid their blooms of
radiant hue, the tokunas my love is there, and avoiding

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all allusion to the nadishiko flowers, I repeatedly Indeva to
comfort the mother's heart. She murmured in reply, Ah, flower
already bent with dew, The winds of autumn, cold and
chill will wither all thy beauteous hue, and soon alas
unpitying kill. Thus she spoke sadly, but she reproached me

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no further. The tears came involuntarily into her eyes. She was, however,
apparently sorry for this, and tried to conceal them. On
the whole. She behaved as if she meant to show
that she was quite accustomed to such sorrows. I certainly
deeply sympathized with her, yet still further abusing her patience.
I did not visit her again for some time, but

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I was punished when I did so. She had flown,
leaving no traces behind her. If she is still living,
she must needs be passing a miserable existence. Now. If
she had been free from the successive diffidence, this apathy
of calmness, if she had complained when it was necessary
with becoming warmth and spirit, she need never have been

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a wanderer, and I would never have abused her confidence.
But as I said before, a woman who has no
strength of emotion, no passionate bursts of sorrow or of joy,
can never retain a dominion over us. I loved this
woman without understanding her nature, and I am constantly, but
in vain, trying to find her and her little darling,

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who was also very lovely. And often I think, with
grief and pain, that though I may succeed in forgetting her,
she may possibly not be able to forget me. And
surely there must be many an evening when she is
disquieted by sad memories of the past. Let us now
sum up our experiences and reflect on the lessons which
they teach us. One who bites your finger will easily

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estrange your affection by her violence, falseness, and forwardness will
be the reproach of some other in spite of her
meloadeless music and the sweetness of her songs, A third,
too self contained and too gentle, is open to the
charge of a cold silence which oppresses one and cannot
be understood. Whom, then, are we to choose? All this variety,

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in this perplexing difficulty of choice, seems to be the
common lot of humanity? Where again, I say, are we
to go to find the one who will realize our desires?
Shall we fix our aspirations on the beautiful goddess, the
heavenly kichijio Ah, this will be but superstitious and impracticable,
So mournfully finished ton No Tiujo, and all his companions,

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who had been attentively listening, burst simultaneously into laughter at
his last illusion. And now she keep It is your turn,
tell us your story, exclaimed ton chiu Jo, turning to him.
What worth hearing can your humble servant tell you? Go on,
be quick, don't be shy, Let us hear she keep

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no gio. After a little meditation, thus begun. When I
was a student at the university, I met there with
a woman of very unusual intelligence. She was, in every
respect one with whom as Samanokami has said, you could
discuss affairs both public and private. Her dashing genius and
eloquence were such that all ordinary scholars would find themselves

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unable to cope with her, and would be at once
reduced to silence. Now my story is as follows. I
was taking lessons from a certain professor who had several daughters,
and she was one of them. It happened, by some
chance or other I fell much into her society. The professor,
who noticed this, took up a wine cup in his

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hand and said, to me, hear what I sing about?
Two choices. This was a plain offer put before me,
and thenceforward I endeavored, for the sake of his tuition,
to make myself as agreeable as possible to his daughter.
I tell you frankly, however, that I had no particular
affection for her, though she seemed already to regard me

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as her victim. She sees every opportunity of pointing out
to me the way in which we should have to steer,
both in public and private life. When she wrote to me,
she never employed the effeminate style of the khana, but
wrote oh so magnificently the great interest which she took
in me, induced me to pay frequent visits to her,

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and by making her my tutor, I learned how to
compose ordinary Chinese poems. However, though I do not forget
all these benefits, and though it is no doubt true
that our wife or daughter should not lack intelligence, yet
for the life of me, I cannot bring myself to
approve of a woman like this, And still less likely
is it that such could be of any use to

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the wives of high personages like yourselves. Give me a
lovable nature in lieu of sharpness. I quite agree with
Samo lu Kami on this point. What an interesting woman
she must have been, exclaimed tone of Judio, with the
intention of making Shakib go on with his story. This
he fully understood, and making a grimace, he thus proceeded. Once,

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when I went to her after a long absence away
we all have you know, she did not receive me
openly as usual, but spoke to me from behind a screen.
I surmised that this arose from chagrin at my negligence,
and I intended to avail myself of this opportunity to
break with her. But the sagacious woman was a woman
of the world, and not like those who easily lose

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their temper or keep silence about their grief. She was
quite as open and frank as Samo no Kami would
approve of. She told me in a low, clear voice,
I am suffering from heartburn, and I cannot therefore see
you face to face. Yet if you have anything important
to say to me, I will listen to you. This was,

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no doubt, a plain truth. But what answer could I
give to such a terribly frank avowal thank you, said
I simply, And I was just on the point of leaving.
When relenting perhaps a little, she said aloud, come again soon,
and I shall be all right to pass. This unnoticed
would have been impolite. Yet I did not like to
remain there any longer, especially under such circumstances. So, looking

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as gance, I said, here I am, then why excuse me?
Is my visit all in vain? And my consolation is
you tell me come again? No sooner had I said
this than she dashed out as follow with a brilliancy
of repartee, which became a woman of her genius. If
we fond lovers were and meeting every night, I should

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not be ashamed. Were it even in the light nonsense. Nonsense,
cried Genji and the others, who either were or pretended
to be quite shocked. Where can there be such a
woman as that she must have been a devil? Fearful? Fearful,
and snapping their fingers with disapproving glances, they said, do

(10:00):
tell us something better, Do give us a better story
than that she keep Nodeo, however, quietly remarked, I have
nothing else to relate, and remain silent. Hereupon a conversation
took place to the following effect. It is a characteristic
of thoughtless people, and that, without distinction of sex, that

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they try to show off their small accomplishments. This is
in the highest degree unpleasant. As for ladies, it may not,
indeed be necessary to be thorough master of the three
great histories and the five classical texts, yet they ought
not to be destitute of some knowledge of both public
and private affairs. And this knowledge can be imperceptibly acquired

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without any regular study of them, which, though superficial, will
yet be amply sufficient to enable them to talk pleasantly
about them with their friends. But how contemptible they would
seem if this made them vain of it the manner
style and pedantic phrases were not meant for them, and
if they use them, the public will only say, would

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that they would remember that they are women and not men,
and they would only incur the reproach of being pedants,
as many ladies, especially among the aristocracy do. Again, while
they should not be altogether unversed in poetical compositions, they
should never be slaves to them or allow themselves to

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be betrayed into using strange quotations, the only consequence of
which would be that they would appear to be bold
when they ought to be reserved and abstracted, when very
likely they had practical duties to attend to, how utterly inappropriate.
For instance, it would be on the May Festival, if
while the attention of all present was concentrated on the

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solemnity of the occasion, the thoughts of these ladies were
wandering on their own poetical imaginations about sweet flags. Or
if again on the ninth Day Festival, when all the
nobles present were exercising their inventors faculties on the subject
of Chinese poems, they were to volunteer to pour forth
their grand ideas on the dew laid flowers of the chrysanthemum,

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thus endeavoring to rival their opponents of the stronger sex.
There is a time for everything, and all people, but
more especially women, should be constantly careful to watch circumstances
and not to wear their accomplishments at a time when
nobody cares for them. They should practice a sparing economy
in displaying their learning and eloquence, and should, even if

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circumstances require plead, ignorance on subjects with which they are familiar.
As to Genji, even these last observations seemed only to
encourage his reverie still to run upon a certain one,
whom he considered to be the happy medium between the
too much and the too little, And no definite conclusion

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having been arrived at through the conversation, the evening passed away.
The long continued rainy weather had now cleared up, bright
and fine, and the Prince Genji proceeded to the mansion
of his father in law, where Lady Ao, his bride,
still resided with him. She was in her private suite
of apartments, and he soon joined her there. She was

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dignified and stately, both in manners and demeanor, and everything
about her bore traces of scrupulous neatness. Such may be
one of those described by saman no Kami in whom
we may place confidence, he thought, as he approached her.
At the same time, her lofty queenliness caused him to
feel a momentary embarrassment, which he at once tried to

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hide by chatting with the attendant maid. The air was
close and heavy, and he was somewhat oppressed by it.
His father in law happened to pass by the apartment.
He stopped and uttered a few words from behind the
curtain which overhung the door in this hot weather, said
Genji in a low tone, what makes him come here?

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And did not give the slightest encouragement to induce his
father in law to enter the room. So he passed along.
All present smiled significantly and tittered. How indiscreet, exclaimed Genji,
glancing at them reprovingly and throwing himself back Honor Kio
sak Armstaol, where he remained calm and quiet. It was

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by no means becoming behavior on the part of the prince.
The day was drawing to an end when it was
announced that the mansion was closed in a certain celestial
direction of the Nakagami Central God, his own mansion in Nijiya,
the one mentioned as being repaired in the previous chapter,
was also in the same line of direction. Where shall

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I go, then, said Genji, and without troubling himself any further,
went off into a doze. All present expressed indifferent words
as surprise at his unusual apathy. Thereupon, some one reported
that the residence of ki No Kami, who was in
waiting on the Prince, on the banks of the middle river,
the River kio yogok, had lately been irrigated by bringing

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the stream into its gardens, making them cool and refreshing.
That's very good, especially on such a close evening, exclaimed Genji,
rousing himself, and he at once intimated to Kiino Kami
his desire of visiting his house, to which the latter
answered simply yes. He did not, however, really liked the
Prince's visit, and was reluctantly telling his fellow attendants that,

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owing to a certain circumstance which had taken place at
Iono Kami's residence, his wife, Quino Kami's stepmother, had taken
up her abode with him that very evening, and that
the rooms were all in confusion. Genji heard all this distinctly,
but he would not change his mind, and said, that
is all the better. I don't care to stay in

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a place where no fair statue dwells. It is slow work.
Being thus pressed, no alternative remained for the Keno Kami,
and a messenger was dispatched to order the preparation of
a apartments for the prince. Not long after this messenger had gone,
Genji started on his way to the house of Kiino Kami,
whose mild objections against this quick proceeding were not listened to.

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He left the mansion as quietly as possible, even without
taking formal leave of its master, and his escort consisted
of a few favorite tendants. The eastern front room in
the dwelling quarters was wide open, and a temporary arrangement
was made for the reception of the Prince, who arrived
there very quickly. The scene of the garden struck him

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before anything else. The surface of the lake sparkled with
its glittering waters, The hedges surrounded it in rustic beauty,
and luxuriant shrubs grew in pleasing order. Over All the
fair scene, the breeze of evening swept softly. The summer
insects sang indistinctly here and there, and the fireflies hovered

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about in maize dances. The escort took up its quarters
in a position which overlooked a stream of water which
ran beneath the corridor, and here began to take cups
of sake. The host hastened toward her, also some refreshment
to be prepared for Genji. The latter was meanwhile gazing
abstractly about him, thinking such a place might belong to

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the class which Samma no Kami fairly placed in the
middle category. He knew that the lady who was under
the same roof was a young beauty of whom he
had heard something before, and he was looking forward to
a chance of seeing her. Then he noticed the rustling
of a silken dress escaping from a small boudoir to
the right, and some youthful voices, not without charm were

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also heard, mingled with occasional sounds of suppressed laughter. The
casement of the boudoir had been until a short time
before open, but was pulled down by order of Kino Kami,
who perhaps doubted the propriety of its being, as it was,
and now only allowed a struggling light to issue through
the paper of the sliding screen. He proceeded to one

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side of his room that he might see what could
be seen, but there was no chance. He still stood
there that he might be able at least to catch
some part of the conversation. It seems that this boudoir
adjoined the general family room of the female inmates, and
his ears were greeted by some faint talking. He inclined

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his head attentively and heard them whispering, probably about himself.
Is it not a pity that the fate of so
fine a prince should be already fixed? Said one voice,
Yet he loses no opportunity of availing himself of the
favors of fortune, added another. These remarks may have been

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made with no serious intention, But as to Genji, he,
even in hearing them, could not help thinking of a
certain fair image of which he so fondly dreamt, at
the same time feeling a thrill on reflecting that if
this kind of secret were to be discovered and discussed
in such a manner, what could be done? Then he

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heard an observation in delicate allusion to his verse, which
he had presented to the Princess Momozono peach gardens with
the flowers of assagio morning glory of convolvulus. What cautious
beauties they are to talk in that way. But I
wonder if their forms, when seen, will answer to the
pictures of my fancy, thought Gnji as he retired to

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his original position, for he could hear nothing more interesting.
Kino Kami presently entered the room, brought in some fruits,
trimmed the lamp, and the visitor and host now began
to enjoy a pleasant leisure. What has become of the
ladies Without some of them, no society is cheerful, observed Gnji.

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Who can there be to meet such wishes? Said the
Kiino Kami to himself, but took no notice of Gnji's remark.
There were several boys in the house who had followed
Kino Kami into the room. They were the sons and
brothers of Kuiino Kami. Among them was one about twelve
or thirteen, who was nicer looking than the others. Genji,

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of course, did not know who they all were, and
accordingly made inquiries. When he came to the last mentioned boy,
Kino Kami replied, he is the youngest son of the
late Lord Yeman, now an orphan, and from his sister's connections,
he is now staying here. He is shrewd and unlike
ordinary boys. His desire is to take court service, but

(20:29):
he has as yet no patron. What a pity is
then the sister you mentioned, your stepmother, Yes, sir, it is, sir.
What a good mother you have got. I once overheard
the Emperor, to whom I believe a private application had
been sometimes made in her behalf, referring to her, said
what has become of her? Is she here? Now? Said Genji,

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and lowering his voice, added, how changeable are the fortunes
of the world? It is her present state, sir, but
as you may perceive, it differs from her original expectation. Changeable, indeed,
are the fortunes of this world, especially so the fortunes
of women. Does EO respect her? Perhaps he idolizes her

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as his master? That is a question. Perhaps as a
private master. I am the foremost to disapprove of this
infatuation on his part, are you? Nevertheless, he trusts her
to such a one as you. He is a kind father.
But where are they all all? In their private apartments. Genji,

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by this time apparently desired to be alone, and Quino Kami,
now retired with the boys or the escort, were already
slumbering comfortably, each on his own cool rush mat under
the pleasant persuasion of Saki. Genji was now alone. He
tried to doze, but could not. It was late in
the evening and all was still around. His sharpened senses

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made him aware that the room next but one to
his own, was occupied, which led him to imagine that
the lady of whom he had been speaking might be there.
He rose softly and once more proceeded to the other
side of the room to listen to what he might overhear.
He heard a tender voice, probably that of Kokimi, the
boy spoken of before, who appeared to have just entered

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the room, saying are you here, to which a female
voice replied yes, dear, But has the visitor yet retired?
And the same voice added, ah, so near and yet
so far? Yes, I should think so. He's so nice looking,
as they say. Were it daytime, I would see him too,

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said the lady in a drowsy voice. I shall go
to bed too. But what a bad light, said the boy,
and Genji conjectured that he had been trimming the lamp.
The lady presently clapped her hands for a servant and said,
where is Jiugio? I feel lonely. I wished to see her, Madam,
she is in the bath now she would be here soon,

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replied the servant. Suppose I pay my visit to her too?
What harm? No harm, perhaps, said Genji to himself. He
withdrew the fastening of the intervening door. On the other
side there was none, and it opened. The entrance to
the room where the lady was sitting was only screened
by a curtain with a glimmering light. Inside. By the

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reflection of this light, he saw traveling trunks and bags
all scattered about. Through these. He groped his way and
approached the curtain. He saw, leaning on a cushion the
small and pretty figure of a lady, who did not
seem to notice his approach, probably thinking it was Chujio
for whom she had sent. Genji felt nervous, but struggling

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against the feeling, startled the lady by saying Jiujio was
called for. I thought it might mean myself, and I
come to offer you my devoted services. This was really
an unexpected surprise, and the lady was at a loss.
It is, of course natural, he said, you should be
astonished at my boldness, But pray excuse me. It is

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solely from my earnest desire to show, at such an
opportunity the great respect for you which I have felt
for a very long time. He was clever enough to
know how to speak and what to say under all circumstances,
and made the above speech in such an extremely humble
and insinuating manner that the demon himself could not have

(24:28):
taken offense. So she forbore to show any sudden resentment.
She had, however, grave doubts as to the propriety of
his conduct, and felt somewhat uncomfortable, saying, shyly, perhaps you
have made a mistake. No, certainly not, he replied, what
mistake can I have made? On the other hand, I

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have no wish to offend you. The evening, however, is
very irksome, and I should feel obliged if you would
permit me to converse with you. Then, gently taking her hand,
he pressed her to return with him to his lonely apartment.
She was still young and weak and did not know
what was most proper to do under these circumstances, So,

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half fielding, half reluctantly, was induced to be led there
by him. At this juncture, Jiujo, for whom she had
sent previously, entered the room upon which Genji exclaimed ha.
Jujio stared with astonishment at him, whom she at once
recognized as the prince by the rich perfume which he
carried about him. What does this mean? Thought Jujo. She

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could still do nothing. Had he been an ordinary personage,
she would have immediately seized him. Even in that case, however,
there was enough room to doubt whether it would not
have been better to avoid any violent steps, lest it
might have given rise to a disagreeable family scandal. Hence
Jujo was completely perplexed and mechanically followed them. Genji was

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too bold to fear by standers, a common fault with
high personages, and coolly the door upon her, saying, she
will soon return to you. The lady, being placed in
such an awkward position and not knowing what Jujo might imagine,
became as it were, bewildered. Genji was, however, as artful
and insinuating as might be expected in consoling her, though

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we do not know where he had learnt his eloquence.
This was really trying for her, and she said, your
condescension is beyond my merit. I cannot disregard it. It is, however,
absolutely necessary to know who is who. But such ignorance,
he said, a little abashed, rejoined as not to know
who is who is the very proof of my inexperience.

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Were I supposed to understand too well, I should indeed
be sorry. You have very likely heard how little I
mix in the world. This perhaps is the very reason
why you distrust me. The excess of the blindness of
my mind seemed strange even to myself. Thus he spoke insinuatingly. She,
on her part, feared that if his fascinating address should

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assume a warmer tone, it would be more trying for
her and more difficult to withstand. So she determined, however
hard she might appear, not to give any encouragement to
his feelings, and showed therefore a coolness of manner to
her meek character. There was us added a firm resolution,
and it seemed like a young bamboo reed, with its

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strength and tenderness combined, difficult to bend. Still, she felt
the struggle very keenly, and tears moistened her eyes. Genji
could not help feeling touched. Not knowing exactly how to
soothe her, he exclaimed, what makes you treat me so coolly?
It is true we are not old acquaintances, but it

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does not follow that this should prevent us from becoming
good friends. Please don't discompose yourself like one who does
not know the world at all. It pierces my heart.
This speech touched her, and her firmness began to waver.
Were my position what it once was? Said? She and
I received such attention. I might, however unworthy, have been

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moved by your affection. But as my position in life
is now changed, its unsatisfactory condition offer makes me dream
of a happiness I cannot hope to enjoy. Hereupon, she
remained silent for some moments and looked as if she
meant to say that she could no longer help thinking
of the line, don't tell any one you've seen my home.

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But these few moments of silence agitated the pure waters
of her virtuous mind, and the sudden recollection of her
aged husband, whom she did not generally think much about,
occurred tenderly to her memory. She shuddered at the idea
of his seeing her in such dilemma as this, even
in a dream, and without a word, fled back to
her apartment, and Genji was once more alone. Now the

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chanter clear began to proclaim the coming day, and the
attendants rode from their couches, some exclaiming how soundly we
have slept, others let us get the carriage ready. Kino
Kami also came out, saying, why so early? No need
of such hurry for the prince. Genji also arose, and,
putting on his Nayushi, went out on the balcony on

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the southern side of the house, where he leaned upon
the wooden balustrade and meditated as he looked round him.
It appears that people were peeping out of the casement
on the western side, probably being anxious to catch a
glimpse of the prince, whose figure was indistinctly to be
seen by them from the top of a short screen
standing within the trellis. Among these spectators there was one

(29:41):
who perhaps might have felt a thrill run through her
frame as she beheld him. It was the very moment
when the sky was being tinted by the glowing streets
of morn, and the moon's pale light was still lingering
in the far distance. The aspect of the passionless heavens
becomes radiant or gloomy in response to the heart of

(30:01):
him who looks upon it, and to Genji, whose thoughts
were secretly occupied with the events of the evening, The
scene could only have given rise to sorrowful emotions. Reflecting
how he might, on some future occasion convey a message
to the lady, and looking back several times, he presently
quitted the house and returned to the mansion of his
father in law. During some days succeeding the above events,

(30:26):
he was staying at the mansion with his bride. His thoughts, however,
were now constantly turning to the lady on the bank
of the Middle River. He therefore summoned Kimo Kami before him,
and thus addressed him, cannot you let me have the boy,
the son of the late Chiu Nagon, whom I saw
the other day? He is a nice lad, and I
wish to have him nearer hand. I will also introduce

(30:48):
him to the Emperor. I receive your commands. I will
talk with his sister, and see if she consents to it,
replied Ki no Kami with a bow. These last words,
alluding to the object which occupied his thoughts, caused Genji
to start, but he said, with apparent calmness. Has the
lady presented you yet with a brother or a sister? No, sir,

(31:11):
not yet. She has been married now these two years,
but it seems she is always thinking. She is not
settled in the way her parents desired, and is not
quite contented with her position. What a pity I heard. However,
she was a very good lady, Is it so? Yes?
I quite believe so. But hitherto we have lived separately

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and were not very cordial, which, as all the world knows,
is usual in such relationship. After the lapse of five
or six days, the boy Kipkimi was brought to him.
He was not tall or handsome, but very intelligent and
in manners perfectly well bred. Genji treated him with the
greatest kindness, at which, in his boyish mind, he was

(31:54):
highly delighted. Genji now asked him many questions about his sister,
to which he gave such answers as he could, but
often with shyness and diffidence. Hence Genji was unable to
take him into his confidence, but byskillfully coaxing and pleasing him,
he ventured to hand him a letter to be taken

(32:15):
to his sister. The boy, though he possibly guessed that
its meaning, did not trouble himself much, but taking it duly,
delivered it to his sister. She became confused and thoughtful
as she took it, and, fearing what the boy might think,
opened the letter and held it before her face in
order to conceal the expression of her countenance. It was

(32:35):
a long one, and, among other things, contained the following lines.
I had a dream, A dream so sweet, AH would
that I could dream again, Alas no sleep, these eyes
will greet, and so I strived to dream in vain.
It was beautifully written, and as her eyes fell upon
the passionate words, a mist gathered over them, and a

(32:56):
momentary thought of her own life and position once more
flushed over her mind, and without a word of comment
to the boy, she retired to rest. A few days afterwards,
Kokimi was again invited to join the Prince. Thereupon he
asked his sister to give him an answer to the
Prince's letter. Tell the prince, she said, there is no

(33:18):
one here who reads such letters, But said the boy,
he does not expect such an answer as this. How
can I tell him so? At first, she half resolved
to explain everything to Kokimi and to make him thoroughly
understand why she ought not to receive such letters, But
the effort was too painful, so she simply said, it

(33:41):
is all the better for you not to talk in
that way. If you think it so serious, why should
you go to him at all? Yet? How can I
disobey his commands to go back? Exclaimed the boy, and
so he returned to Genji without any written answer to him.
I was weary of waiting for you. Perhaps you too
had forgotten me, said Genji when he saw the boy,

(34:04):
who was, however, silent and blushed. And what answer have
you brought me? Continued Genji, And then the boy replied
in the exact words which his sister had used. What,
cried Genji and continued, Perhaps you may not know, so
I will tell you. I knew your sister before she
knew Io, but she likes to treat me so because

(34:24):
she thinks she has got a very good friend in Eo.
But do you be like a brother to me? The
days of Eo will be probably fewer than mine. He
now returned to the palace, taking Kokimi with him, and
going to his dressing room, attired him nicely in the
court style. In a word, he treated him as a
parent would do. By the boy's assistance, several more letters

(34:48):
were conveyed to his sister. Her resolution, however, remained unshaken.
If one's heart were once to deviate from the path,
she reflected, the only end we could expect would be
a damaged reputation and misery for life, the good and
the bad result from one's self. Thus, thinking she resolved

(35:10):
to return no answer. She might indeed have admired the
person of Genji, and probably did so, Yet whenever such
feelings came into her mind, the next thought that suggested
itself was what is the use of such idle admiration? Meanwhile,
Genji was often thinking of paying a visit to the
house where she was staying, but he did not consider

(35:31):
it becoming to do so without some reasonable pretext, more
especially as he would have been sorry and for her
sake more than his own, to draw a suspicion upon her.
It happened, however, after a prolonged residence at the court
that another occasion of closing the palace in a certain
celestial line of direction arrived. Catching at this opportunity, he

(35:55):
left the palace and, suddenly, turning out of his road,
went straight to kino kami residence, with the excuse that
he had just discovered the above fact on his way. Kinokami,
surprised at this unexpected visit, had only to bow before
him and acknowledge the honor of his presence. The boy
Kokimi was already there before him, having been secretly informed

(36:16):
of his intention beforehand, and he attended on him as
usual in his apartment. On his arrival, the lady, who
had been told by her brother that the prince earnestly
desired to see her, knew well how dangerous it was
to approach an inviting flower growing on the edge of
a precipice. She was not, of course, insensible to his

(36:36):
coming in such a manner with an excuse for the
sake of seeing her, But she did not wish to
increase her dream like inquietude by seeing him. And again,
if he ventured to visit her apartment as he did before,
it might be a serious compromise for her, For these reasons,
she retired while her brother was with Genji to a

(36:57):
private chamber of Jujio her companion in the rear of
the main building, under the pretense that her own room
was too near that of the prince. Besides, she was
indisposed and required tataki, which she desired to have done
in a retired part of the house. Genji sent his
attendants very early to their own quarters, and then through Kokimi,

(37:18):
requested an interview with the lady. Kokimi at first was
unable to find her, till after searching everywhere, he at
last came to the apartment of Jiujio, and with great earnestness,
endeavored to persuade her to see Genji in an anxious
and half trembling voice, while she replied in a tone
slightly angry, what makes you so busy? Why do you

(37:41):
trouble yourself? Boys carrying such messages are highly blameable. After
thus daunting him, she added more mildly, tell the Prince,
I am somewhat indisposed, and also that some friends are
with me and I cannot well leave them now. And
she again cautioned the boy not to be too officious,
and sent him away from her at once, Yet at

(38:02):
the bottom of her heart, different feelings might have been
struggling from those which her words seemed to express, and
some such thoughts as these shaped themselves in her mind.
Were I still a maiden in the home of my
beloved parents and occasionally received his visits there, How happy
might I not be now trying to act as if
no romantic sentiment belonged to my heart. Genji, who was

(38:26):
anxiously waiting to know how the boy would succeed in
persuading his sister, was soon told that all his efforts
were in vain. Upon hearing this, he remained for some
moments silent, and then relieved his feelings with a long
drawn sigh and hummed. The hahakigi distant trees spreads broom
like o'er the silent waste approach, how changed its shape

(38:49):
we see in vain we try to shade to taste.
The lady was unable to sleep, and her thoughts also
took the following poetic shape too, Like the hahbi kikri
lonely and humble, I must dwell, nor dare to give
a thought to thee, but only sigh a long farewell
all the other inmates of the house were now in

(39:11):
a sound slumber, but sleep came not to Genji's eyes.
He did indeed admire her immovable and chaste nature, but
this only drew his heart the more towards her. He
was agitated. At one moment he cried well, then at another, however,
still at last, turning to the boy, he passionately exclaimed,

(39:33):
leave me to her. At once Kokimi calmly replied, it
is impossible. Too many eyes are around us. Genji, with
a sigh, then threw himself back on the cushion, saying
to Kokimi, you at least will be my friend and
shall share my apartment. End of Section three.